No Goals Is His Goal

Cody Niedermeier isn't too concerned about winning games as much as he wants to improve everyday.

"We don't have to win for me to be happy. But if we go out and do our best [and] work our butts off, I'll be ecstatic because I love the people around me. I love our team this year," he said.

The starting goalkeeper for the Broadneck High soccer since his sophomore season and one of the best goalies to come out of Anne Arundel County in years, Niedermeier knows where he wants this game to take him.

"I want to go all the way. Soccer is what I love to do, I'm going to go after my dream. I want to play pro," Niedermeier said.

As an Arnold resident, Niedermeier grew up participating in many of the Broadneck area youth sports leagues, but quickly found soccer to be his true sporting love.

At just 17, Niedermeier has had a lot of high level experience to
further his abilities. He credits his father, Gary, a former goalkeeper at Brigham Young University, and current Philadelphia Union goalkeeper coach Rob Vartughian.

"At a young age, I always reached out to the family and stuck with him because I could see something with him in terms of his potential and future," said Vartughian, who served as the goalkeeper coach at the University of Maryland prior to joining the Union staff.

After a one-year stint at Mount Saint Joseph High School as a freshman, he returned to the Broadneck system. Since then Niedermeier has twice been named an All-County performer and second-team All-State.

"Each year I put a little more pressure on myself, just to do what I can to keep the ball out of the net," said Niedermeier, who has been invited to U-14 and U-16 national soccer team camps.

Broadneck head coach Sean Tettemer is grateful to have Niedermeier protecting his nets.

"He's done everything that I ever could have possibly asked for," Tettemer said of his goalie.

Niedermeier began his club play with the Olney Rangers before moving to the academy system of Major League Soccer's D.C. United. It was there with the region's professional soccer team that Niedermeier really began to flourish.

"I love D.C. United. I love what they've done for me. They've given me opportunities I couldn't have imagined," he said.

His exposure with the United academy attracted a number of Division I schools hoping to become Niedermeier's home after Broadneck. Narrowing his possible college list to Maryland, North Carolina and North Carolina State, Niedermeier opted for the local choice to be a Terp.

"[I] chose Maryland [because it's] just the place I thought I would be the best person, the most comfortable [and] the place I wanted to be," said Niedermeier who is currently on a verbal commitment to Maryland.

Vartughian said he did his best to inform Niedermeier about his college options. "I said to him,' [at Maryland] it's a very competitive place, it's a place that will pull the best out of you and will provide you with an environment that will test you and maximize your potential.'"

With the high aspirations that Niedermeier has, a player of his desire and skill appear to be a great fit for Maryland, who have two Men's Soccer National Championships in the last decade. It's at Maryland that he hopes to demonstrate the work ethic that has carried him this far.

"I'm really proud of him. I'm really happy that he has a bright future in college and just grateful that I've had the opportunity to coach him," Tettemer said.

With preseason games underway, Broadneck enters in-county play on Sept. 13 against Glen Burnie. Niedermeier will approach this season like any other - trying to get better every time out.

"Everyday at practice, every game, every chance I get, do the best I can," he said.

An attitude like that will serve him well as Niedermeier continues to lead the Bruins, heads off to college and pursues his dreams.

"Any professional [soccer] would make my dream come true," Niedermeier said.